4 takeaways from Broncos' 30-27 loss to Chiefs

4 takeaways from Broncos' 30-27 loss to Chiefs

And just like that, the World Champion Denver Broncos have fallen out of the playoffs.

With three minutes left in the game, the Broncos held a 96 percent probability to win after quarterback Trevor Siemian connected with wide receiver Bennie Fowler for 76-yard touchdown pass that put Denver up eight.

A 96 percent chance!

Who could have guess the supposedly unstoppable defense would let quarterback Alex Smith of all people punch it in for six points and convert on a two-point attempt with under three minutes to go?

No one, but that’s why we love sports — they defy logic.

Here are four takeaways from the Broncos’ heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs.

1. It was a tale of two halves

The Broncos held Smith to merely 26 passing yards in the first half, though Siemian only managed a lousy 89 passing yards himself. The Denver defense couldn’t be stopped, while the offense seemed like it could only be stopped.

But football has two halves — something the Denver game plan might have been missed.

Siemian led three second-half touchdown drives on his way to posting a total of 368 passing yards. One would think this would be more than enough to secure a victory and hold on to second place in the AFC West, but as the offense shined, the defense faltered.

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Smith, the well-known game manager quarterbacked led two separate 75-yard touchdown drives. He also put together back-to-back field goal trips in overtime that landed the final dagger in the floundering Broncos defense.

The Chiefs quarterback wasn’t alone in finding a way to score two touchdowns on a defense many thought would still be the best in the league. At times, Smith scored with such ease.

The Chiefs finished with 273 total yards, including 220 passing yards from Smith himself. This was certainly a half that the Broncos offense needed momentum and one that the Denver defense can use as a teaching moment.

2. Ty Sambrailo was not the answer at right tackle

Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston blew past Ty Sambrailo so quickly in the first quarter that his undershirt almost disintegrated. The Broncos right tackle lost his job as quickly as he lost his shirt.

Early in the first half, the struggling Sambrailo was replaced by Donald Stephenson, Pro Football Focus’s worst tackle in the NFL.

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In Sambrailo’s defense, Houston is a pass-rushing monster and is certainly not an easy block. But it looked at times as if Sambrailo was personally escorting Houston to his quarterback with a short cut and detailed instructions.

After slowing down the Saints penetration in the Broncos’ controversial win in Week 10, coach Kubiak had a lot of praise for Sambrailo and told the Denver Post that he was fixing to play a lot more football.”

Kubiak himself probably didn’t knew how poorly Sambrailo could play when he made that statement.

The Broncos clearly need a right tackle, and Sambrailo showed us that he is not the answer at the moment. Without another bye week, Denver has to do its best to stop the bleeding and deal with this issue in the offseason.

3. A.J. Derby might just be what the Broncos’ offense was missing

Ever since Denver acquired Derby’s talents, there has been speculation about what he can bring to the table. In Week 12, he showed that he is just what the offense was missing: a pass-catching tight end.

Derby only finished the game with four receptions for 43 yards, but two of those were in critical moments.

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Late in the game on their own three-yard-line, Siemian found Derby on a crucial 13-yard pitch and catch on third down to move the chains, which ultimately led to a Broncos’ touchdown. Derby was targeted for another long third-down conversion in overtime. Although these seem boring, Denver has struggled to find a tight end that will produce, and it is good to see it looking for Derby to make a play when the game is on the line.

Every quarterback needs a safety blanket, and Derby is more than capable of being that for Siemian down the stretch.

4. Trevor Siemian played like a pro

Denver’s loss was in no way related to the way Siemian played. Not only could he make play after play with his arm, but he also showed his ability to escape pressure and produce with his feet.

Siemian finished the game by completing 20-of-34 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. His performance joined the likes of John Elway and Peyton Manning as the third Broncos quarterback to throw for over 350 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. That is great company to be with.

#Broncos QB @TrevorSiemian tonight joined Manning (4x) and Elway (1x) as only Denver QBs to throw for 350 yds. & 3 TDs with no INTs.

With the Broncos out of the playoffs, they will have to claw and scratch their way to play meaningful football after the first of the year, but Siemian has shown that he is more than capable of providing a platform for them to compete. He proved himself with his primetime performance on Sunday Night Football, and Broncos Country feel confident.